Silverweed.
Six career and job hunting tips from Robert De Niro
Brian
Teeter
President, Tidewind Publishing
When you think about it, we’re all actors. It doesn’t
matter if you’re a software engineer,
a CEO, a recent college graduate, nurse or marketing
executive. You’re an actor.
Ridiculous, you say. Maybe Robert De Niro, but not you.
Well, not exactly.
Read on and I’ll show you what I mean.
Recently, the esteemed Mr. De Niro gave a rousing and
blunt commencement address
to the talented graduates of
New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.
While Mr. De Niro’s speech was tailored to a generation
of aspiring actors and directors,
there are parallels to your career, whether you’re just
starting out, or are an older executive
simply trying not to get tossed aside by their
corporation for a younger, cheaper replacement.
Actors have no job security. None. You’re as good as your
last gig.
In many ways, that’s true for all of us. We’re all
actors. With that in mind, below are lessons
De Niro shared in his commencement address:
"You discovered a talent, developed an ambition and
recognized your passion.
When you feel that, you can't fight it — you just go with
it," he explained.
"You aren't just following dreams, you're reaching
for your destiny. You're an artist — yeah,
you're f—d. The good news is that's not a bad place to
start."
Continuing, De Niro explained: "Rejection might
sting, but my feeling is that often,
it has very little to do with you. When you're
auditioning or pitching, the director,
producer or investor may have someone different in
mind. That's just how it is.
That happened recently when I was auditioning for the
role of Martin Luther King in Selma!
Which was too bad because I could've played the hell out
of that part — I felt it was written for me! But the director had
something different in mind, and she was right.
It seems the director is always right.”
And so is your boss.
De Niro then laid out a few universal film industry tips
that are metaphorical lessons for your career:
1.
Your job is to help your boss (the director).
"You've been hired because the director saw something in your audition, your reading,
"You've been hired because the director saw something in your audition, your reading,
in you that fit their concept.
You may be given the opportunity to try it your way,
but the final decision will be
the director’s. It's best when you can work it out together."
2.
Collaboration lends itself to leadership.
"As a director or a producer, you also have to be true to yourself and to the work.
"As a director or a producer, you also have to be true to yourself and to the work.
The power doesn't come from
the title, the power comes from trust, respect, vision,
work and again, collaboration.
You'll probably be harder on yourself than any director.
You didn't pick this life
because you thought it would be easy.
You may have to answer to a
director, but you always have to answer to yourself."
3.
Be brave.
"Don't be afraid to fail. Take chances, keep an open mind, welcome new experiences
"Don't be afraid to fail. Take chances, keep an open mind, welcome new experiences
and new ideas."
4.
Always do your best.
"You're not responsible for the entire job, but your part in it.
"You're not responsible for the entire job, but your part in it.
You will put your everything
into everything you do. You won't judge the characters
you play, and you shouldn't be
distracted by judgments on the works you're in.
Whether you're working for
Edward or Rico Fellini or Martin Scorsese,
your commitment and your
process will be the same."
5.
Rejection — it isn't personal.
De Niro suggested a mantra for the new grads: "Next!" a phrase to be shouted when
De Niro suggested a mantra for the new grads: "Next!" a phrase to be shouted when
"you didn't get that
part.” There will be times when your best isn't good enough.
There can be many reasons for
this, but as long as you give your best, it's okay.
Did you get straight A's in
school? If you did, good for you, congratulations.
But in the real world, you'll
never get straight A's again."
6.
Stay in touch.
Pointing to the multiple films he's made with famed director Martin Scorsese,
Pointing to the multiple films he's made with famed director Martin Scorsese,
De Niro said,
"Treasure the associations, friendships and working relationships
with the people in your
classes and your early work. You never know what might come
from it," he said in
closing. "I'm here to hand out my pictures and resumes
to the directing and producing
graduates!”
More than ever, job security in even the most stable
industries can be fleeting.
Nobody knows the pain of unemployment more than an actor.
Whether you’re just starting
your career or trying to hang on in your later years to
survive in the corporate jungle,
see yourself as an actor. Think of how you can stand out,
about building a network,
and staying resilient in the face of rejection.
That’s a wrap!
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/six-career-job-hunting-tips-from-robert-de-niro-brian-teeter
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